Counseling Services is to act as a Resource to Marion County Juvenile picture of Counseling Department staff in achieving the Department’s mission.

Counseling Services staff work in partnership with other Department program staff and community resources to provide services to children and families in ways that build on their strengths, resolve problems, support positive change, address mental health issues, and reduce risk factors related to juvenile crime. There is no cost to the family or the child for these services.

Team members work in a variety of Juvenile Department settings, including Counseling House, Detention, and GAP, the department’s shelter care program. Staff includes Mental Health Specialists, Youth & Family Counselors, program supervisor, and secretary. All the counselors are very experienced, especially in working with adolescents and their families. Joining us each academic year are graduate interns from Portland State University Graduate School of Social Work.

Our approach is to work together with kids and parents to come up with counseling goals focused on solutions, living life healthier, and staying out of trouble. Issues addressed include such things as mental health problems, family relationships, peer relationships, school, managing life’s stresses, making healthy choices, building pro-social skills, and more.

Counseling Services have been an important part of helping children and their families at the Juvenile Department for many years. We appreciate the opportunity to provide a variety of mental health services to juveniles involved with the department. In addition, a parenting class is offered several times a year to any parent/guardian of a teen in Marion County to support parents in the challenging and rewarding job of raising teenagers.

Parenting Classes: The eight-week parenting class is open to any Marion County parent/caregiver who has a teenager; they do not have to be involved with the Department. We use the Active Parenting of Teens book and video developed by Michael Popkin; this class is helpful, fun, supportive and very popular with parents. Classes are taught throughout the year, fill up quickly, and reservations are required.

Counseling House: Families involved with the Department may receive counseling services provided by Mental Health Specialists; services include individual and family therapy, mental health assessments, drug/alcohol assessments, group therapy, and crisis counseling. In addition, consultation is available to other department staff in support of addressing juveniles’ mental health needs as part of their overall case plan.

Counseling in Detention: Juveniles who are detained have ready access to our mental health staff who conduct suicide risk assessments, provide brief counseling, both individually and in group, and work closely with Detention staff in how to best address a youth’s needed level of care. Counseling staff work in Detention every week day, during both day and early evening hours.

Counseling in GAP: Guaranteed Attendance Program is the department’s shelter care program. In that setting counselors work closely with GAP staff in helping youth make positive changes in their lives that support their success at home, school, and community. Counselors focus on providing behavioral counseling that increases a youth’s pro-social skills and ability to make good decisions in their life. For example, youth work on building skills in the areas of personal accountability, coping, self management, stress management, family relationships, peer relationships, and handling emotions.

In addition, Counseling Services counselors and the program supervisor provide consultation to other department staff, complete specialized assessments to assist in case planning and service delivery, help provide mental health service coordination, and conduct staff development training for co-workers.

HOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

If you need more information about Counseling Services or would like to sign up for our next parenting class, give us a call at 503-566-2925 and ask to speak with the program supervisor or secretary. We will be happy to be of help to you.